A short time ago, U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney made a brief appearance at the Hester Street Fair, one stop in a full day of campaigning across the 14th Congressional District, which includes the Lower East Side. Maloney is being challenged in September’s Democratic Primary by Reshma Saujani.

We spoke briefly with actress Kim Katzberg last April when she was debuting her show (a work-in-progress), Penetrating the Space, at Dixon Place. The piece is described as “a tragicomic send-up of a one-woman show in which a kooky bisexual performance artist and incest survivor mistakenly believes that theatricalizing her psychological fragmentation and integration in front of an audience will lead to mainstream acceptance in the acting industry and a big-time agent.”

This week’s Midnight Movie at the Sunshine Cinema is the East Coast premier of Joshua Grannell’s feature film debut, All About Evil. Grannell, better known as midnight movie impresario Peaches Christ, will appear with horror filmmaker Alan Rowe Kelly and the film’s star, actress Natasha Lyonne

Our friends at the Hester Street Fair would like you to know you can keep cool and stay stylish this weekend because both the Misting Oasis Tent and the popular “Summer Stylist Tent Event” will be back on Saturday and Sunday. Stylists, designers, showrooms, fashion insiders and “fashonistas” empty their closets, drop it all off and shoppers get a chance to go through the goods.

The 7th Precinct is sponsoring the Lower East Side’s participation in “National Night Out” this coming Tuesday. The event, in its 27th year, is meant to create greater awareness about crime and drug prevention. A number of community organizations will be represented. There will be food, music and games for the kids. National Night Out takes place on East Broadway, between Clinton and Jefferson Streets, from 4:30-8pm.

Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh has announced an August schedule for his “mobile district office.” Staffers will be available to help constituents with specific problems they might be having and to answer questions about legislation and local issues. Here are the details:

Kavanagh represents the 74th Assembly District, which includes the area above Houston Street and extending up the East Side, but oddly also includes Pitt Street between Delancey and Houston. By the way, he’s also co-sponsoring free dental checkups for kids (6months-14 years). The checkups will take place in the Baruch Houses’ community room August 2-6, 9am-2:30pm. See more info here.

Look for a break in the heat today with a high of 82 degrees. It should be pleasant and less humid, with sunshine mixing with clouds, as the weekend takes us in to August. Later today, we’ll have our Weekend Guide and a briefing on last night’s CB3 meeting on SPURA. Enjoy your weekend!

Last fall we attended a public hearing called by State Senator Daniel Squadron on preserving and revitalizing retail in urban neighborhoods. The Senate Committee on Cities heard testimony from business owners and other local stakeholders, including Zarin Fabrics President David Zarin and Community Board 3’s Susan Stetzer. Squadron no longer chairs the committee, but along with current chair Shirley Huntley, he has released a report on that hearing.

Among their conclusions: city and state government should consider tax breaks for property owners who accommodate small businesses and who keep their rents reasonable. Also – they call on local officials to consider so-called “formula zoning” to encourage more retail diversity in neighborhoods like the Lower East Side. You can download the full report here.

Last month, we reported the Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy is preparing to open a new Visitor Center at 400 Grand Street later this summer. If you walk by the storefront, formerly Ruby’s Fruits, you might notice a poster promoting the Conservancy’s new “Insider Tours,” abbreviated versions of their more detailed neighborhood walking excursions. Recently, we were invited to experience the tours for ourselves.

Artists Benj Gerdes and Jennifer Hayshida are continuing their “Postcards to AZ” project at the New Museum today. Per their Facebook page, NuMu invites you to stop by the lobby and “write a postcard to our neighbors in AZ affected by the implementation of SB 1070.” Completed postcards will be sent to a network of community-based organizations in Arizona. The project was among the activities at The New Muesum’s Block Party 2010, this past weekend.

Artists and students work on a temporary art installation on the Allen Street pedestrian malls. There will be another volunteer day Saturday morning, sponsored by the Hester Street Collaborative. Look for a high of 90 today and scattered showers, in the next hour and after 1pm.

The former home of "Tonic" on Norfolk. Image via jeffersonblue's Flickr photostream.

Earlier today, we posted some of the highlights from next month’s CB3/SLA Committee agenda. Eater picked up one of the restaurants mentioned — Dans Le Noir. The Euro chainlet had planned to go into a space on East 21st. Street, but Eater says opposition from the community has now prompted them to head downtown.

Here are musicianKen Beasley’s top music picks on the Lower East Side this week:

Tall Tall Trees

TALL TALL TREES – Friday, July 30 at 10pm

If there’s one thing we’ve learned in the last 10 years, it’s that banjos do have a place in New York music. Tall Tall Trees are a clever band that has created an attractive fusion of twangy traditional instruments, modern sound processers, and gut-driven rock & roll.